The VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) Program is a transitional housing initiative aimed at supporting Veterans experiencing homelessness. This document serves as a forecast for possible funding opportunities from Fiscal Year 2026 to Fiscal Year 2028. It is important to note that this is not an official notice of funding availability but rather a general preview of what might be offered in the future. The GPD program is one of the largest transitional housing initiatives by the Department of Veterans Affairs, established under Public Law 109-461. It provides grants to community-based organizations that support Veterans in transitioning to stable, permanent housing, focusing on different stages and needs.

The GPD Program provides several types of grants. Transitional Housing Grants include "Per Diem Only" (PDO) grants, which fund housing services through per diem payments to grantees for Veterans in supportive housing. Additionally, "Special Need" grants target specific groups of Veterans, such as those with chronic mental illnesses or those who are frail elderly. "Transition-In-Place" (TIP) grants are designed to help Veterans remain in their housing unit as permanent residents after supportive services have ended, thus eliminating the need for the resident to move. There are also "Case Management" grants intended for Veterans who are at risk of becoming homeless, providing assistance to help them obtain or retain housing, and "Capital" grants that intermittently fund the construction or renovation of transitional housing facilities.

The grants are designed to cater to a wide variety of Veterans, ensuring that the specific needs of subpopulations such as women, frail elderly, or Veterans with minor dependents are met through appropriate services. The core goal of these grants is to foster residential stability, improve skill levels and income, and promote greater self-determination among the participating Veterans. The grants thus play a significant role in helping Veterans transition from homelessness to permanent housing and improving their quality of life.

The forecast indicates a tentative schedule for funding availability. For Fiscal Year 2026, a notice of funding is expected for Case Management grants, with awards starting that same fiscal year. For Fiscal Year 2027, the VA anticipates issuing notices for PDO and TIP grants, with the funding becoming available in 2027. No funding is currently forecasted for Fiscal Year 2028, but this is subject to change, and updates will be provided as the dates approach.

Eligible applicants for GPD grants include a variety of governmental and non-profit organizations. Specifically, eligibility is extended to special district governments, county governments, state and local governments, public and Indian housing authorities, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education. This diversity in eligibility allows a broad spectrum of community-based entities to participate in providing essential services to Veterans.

The process for applying to the GPD program is straightforward when funding is available. Interested organizations are advised to keep an eye on the official sources, such as Grants.gov and the VA GPD webpage, for the most current notices of funding. These notices will contain all necessary details regarding eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines. Applications must be submitted through an online portal that becomes active only when there is an open call for funding.

Finally, it is crucial to recognize that this document serves as a general planning tool for stakeholders. The information provided is for estimation purposes only and may be adjusted as new circumstances arise. For the latest and most accurate details, interested applicants should stay connected to the GPD program's official communication channels, such as their website and direct email inquiries.